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Friday, November 7, 2008

The Men's and Women's NorAm Slalom racing will return to Loveland Ski Area the first week of December. This will bring many of the top skiers in the world to Colorado. This is your chance to see some exciting racing.

Races don't happen without volunteers. People are needed for many positions. As a volunteer you will get front row seats to all the action. You will also be provided with a lift ticket and lunch on event day, and unrestricted vouchers for Loveland's 2008-2009 season.

For more information or to volunteer contact Cheryl Melick at camelickcasanova@comcast.net

If you want to ski or ride for free this season at Loveland, here's your chance!

Friday, October 24, 2008

I made an easy but economically tough decision last week. I bought a new snowboard and bindings. I couldn't really afford to but, after assessing the upcoming seasons goals, I had to buy a new specialty board.

I want to get my Level 2 Teaching Certification this season. I'll need to get it this season if I want to have any chance of getting expenses reimbursed by my Ski School.

So far, I've probably invested close to $1000.00 in books, training, clinics, and exam fees towards my Cert 2. There are time limitations for AASI-Rocky Mountain in completing things. I passed my Written Cert 2 Exam in January. I have all of my three on-snow exams left. Three days of exams at $125 each = $375.00 in exam only fees. This doesn't include gas, or hotel. Yikes!

So why did I buy a board? I needed a freestyle board. It's my weakest link. I needed freestyle bindings too.

I looked around on the Sierra website some more and picked up the last medium size Burton P1 bindings they had for $138.00. Wow. A expert quality binding for an outrageous price.

They came yesterday by UPS. I'm so ready to try them out. I set them up like the Burton Triads that are on my freeride board. I still have to mount them to the Flash. I need to wax the board before mounting the bindings.

I really like the flex of the Flash and the P1's "Wow". I thought at first I bought some ugly duckling bindings. Heck, why would they still be around in a medium size? Not true. They look pretty tight and match the board graphics.

It's time to start hitting the books again and review DVD's. The memory always needs refreshing after the summer off.

I hope to do NASTAR again this year. I ended up winning my age division at Nationals in Steamboat in March. In the race where all age division champions race handicapped against one another, I won 4th overall place.

I think I may try USASA racing this year. The guys racing NASTAR at Steamboat thought I should do it. I'll have to get my dues paid by Oct 31.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Knowledge Turbo Fan OTG The Smith Regulator Knowledge OTG Ski and Snowboard Goggle is an Over the Glasses goggle with a patented adjustable ventilation system allows the wearer to increase or reduce airflow and ultimately control the humidity inside the goggle to reduce fogging. All Regulator lense...

Everyone who wears glasses knows what a pain it can be to wear goggles. Either the goggles fog up or your glasses do. I’ve tried several different OTG goggle brands. I’ve got the answer for you!

I bought these goggles three years ago in a desperate attempt to actually see where I was going. A friend had recommended them so I thought I would give them a chance. I ordered them online and they arrived in a few days. I tried them immediately.

These goggles are fantastic. They use a AAA battery that drives a 2 speed fan located on top of the goggle frame. Low speed can be used in ordinary riding, the high speed setting is useful when doing highly aerobic riding and you need that extra venting. On high speed, the fog disappears quickly. You can order replacement lenses or different types of lenses on-line. I really like the sensor mirror lense in low light/flat light settings. I’d recommend getting a lense for bright light too.

Since it uses a small battery, it’s no big deal to carry a spare in a pocket. A battery lasts about a week of daily use. It depends on useage.

My equipment gets a workout over the season. I ride about 50-60 days/season. I use these goggles everyday that I ride. I highly recommend them if you wear glasses.

Negatives: The fan sits on top of the goggle frame so you need the gaper gap between the goggles and helmet in order for them to function. The quick clasp in back broke after one season. This season I had a short develop and discovered that a wire had broken between the fan and battery pack. I did a wire splice and was back in business. They do come with a Lifetime warranty. They are expensive but worth it if you want to see.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

I've been taking as much of the in-house instructor training as possible this season. I'm working on improving my teaching skills, movement analysis, and taking my riding to a higher level. I took 3 days of AASI-Rocky Mtn Cert 2 Prep Clinics in January. I passed my written Cert 2 exam so now I have to pass the three days of on-snow examinations. There is one day each for Teaching, Movement Analysis, and Riding. I need to perfect my backside 180's, large bump riding, and half-pipe skills before I take my Riding exam.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

I've received the official notification that I've qualified for the NASTAR National Championships to be held in Steamboat Springs in March. I'd really like to compete but I need to raise funds to afford it. Any help is much appreciated!

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Tip Your Ski or Snowboard Instructor

Because it's the right thing to do. The instructor only receives about $5 of the money you pay at the lesson desk. The instructor does not get a percentage of the price of the lesson.

If you or your child has a fun lesson, learn something, and get individual attention - the proper etiquette is to tip your instructor. $5-10 is typical for a group lesson while a private lesson is $50+.